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Police Advisory Commission Minutes 01-16-2013MINUTES MONTICELLO POLICE ADVISORY COMMISSION Wednesday, January 16, 2013 - 7 p.m., Academy Room Members Present: Brad Fyle, Brian Stumpf, Jason Roubinek, Jim Roberts Members Absent: Chuck Fradella Ex- Officio Representatives: Sgt. Dave Anderson, Wright County Sheriff's Office Lt. Todd Sandin, Wright County Sheriff's Office Bruce Westby, City Engineer Others Present: None 1) Call to Order Brad Fyle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2) Approval of minutes of November 14, 2012 Special Police Advisory Commission meeting Bruce Westby indicated that these minutes were not complete yet but that all previous unapproved meeting minutes will be completed and brought to the next PAC meeting. 3) Consideration of addin2 items to the agenda Jason Roubinek requested information on the status of purchasing security cameras for use in the city parks. 4) Wri2ht County Sheriffs Office u dates) &A session Sergeant Anderson informed the commission about a new wave of thefts of tires and rims from local dealerships. Both Cornerstone Chevrolet and West Metro have been hit. The crime consists of thieves stealing landscaping blocks then jacking vehicles up and placing the blocks under the frame so they can steal the tires and rims. This type of crime is taking place from Wisconsin to St. Cloud. In Cokota there were 15 tires /rims taken one night and 21 taken in the metro. The tires /rims most typically targeted are from GM vehicles. Both Monticello dealerships have been hit. The thefts have typically occurred during inclement weather with the last theft in Monticello being Thanksgiving night during the snow /ice storm. The deputies have been patrolling the dealerships more to try to catch the perpetrators. Sergeant Anderson said that they are trying to figure out where the thieves are going; it must be out of state because they would be caught if they put them up for sale on Craigslist or tried to sell them locally. Lieutenant Sandin said that they did have a video from a dealer in Annandale and they were able to track down those perpetrators from Wisconsin and they have been jailed in Washington County. Police Advisory Commission Minutes: 01/16/13 Sergeant Anderson stated that yesterday there were two large cases in Monticello which utilized a lot of personnel to apprehend some burglars in two separate cases involving theft and drugs. In one case the thieves broke into an apartment to steal items to sell to purchase drugs, and in another case a victim was robbed at knife point, and that was also for money to purchase drugs. The thieves were all apprehended and booked. Sergeant Anderson reported that there have been a few crashes, traffic incidents, minor thefts and sadly two fatalities as the result of a head -on crash on CR 39 East at Gillard Avenue. There are approximately 5 thefts /week from Walmart and Target but nothing that's too out of the ordinary. There is an officer that has been assigned as the new detective in Monticello and he is very familiar with the town and the people and is therefore able to handle those calls efficiently. Those calls are generally quick and it's typically a matter of jailing or fining the thief as the business has already processed them and they have the surveillance tapes. There have been no new park vandalism issues, and Lieutenant Sandin said the thieves that were apprehended from previous park vandalism are in custody. Sergeant Anderson informed the PAC about the personnel changeover in Monticello for 2013. The previous day car deputy moved to Albertville and Monticello has a new day car driver. The new driver has been with the force for 12 years, has worked narcotics for a few years and Sergeant Anderson said that he is definitely a good asset to have in town. The afternoon driver switched to the 10am -6pm shift and the part -time traffic deputy has moved to a permanent traffic position in Monticello. The overnight shift deputies have remained the same. Brian Stumpf brought up the issue of the noise ordinance come spring. Captain Anselment said that he spoke with Angela Schumann about re- writing the noise ordinance last fall and he will check with her to see about getting that done by spring. Brad Fyle agreed that it is necessary to get that complete. Brian Stumpf informed the PAC that Mn/DOT will be in Monticello for the next few years working on road projects. The traffic issues will definitely increase as a result of this construction. Furthermore, when the new bridge in Clearwater is constructed those travelers will most likely exit at Monticello, increasing the traffic through town. That bridge work is scheduled for 2014. Sergeant Anderson said that CSAH 75 is scheduled to be re -done from Monticello to Clearwater this year and that will change traffic patterns as well. Sergeant Anderson said that with the new shift changes in Monticello that he is confident the overall traffic enforcement will increase and the traffic issues will be handled efficiently. The council is always talking about traffic enforcement and once this year is over, Sergeant Anderson said that he is sure the number of stops will be much higher than last year with the crew they have and the changes they've made Lieutenant Sandin indicated that there was a slight increase in the crime rate from the 2nd to the P quarter of 2012. He said there was not a drastic increase in any one area, just spread out overall. Sergeant Anderson said that he is glad the city council kept the 2 Police Advisory Commission Minutes: 01/16/I3 budget as is because with the issues that came up with the burglary incidents yesterday the sheriff s office was stretched thin. He reiterated it's definitely wise to stay where we are at for contract service hours. Sergeant Anderson said that the office space in the FiberNet building is working out well. At this time they don't have a need for an officer to sit in there and it is working well with the sign on the door informing the public to call the general number for help. Jim Roberts asked Sergeant Anderson if they have the new squads set up with opticons yet. Lieutenant Sandin said that the price of opticons has gone down so it is a good possibility for the cars they just ordered for 2013 to be equipped with opticons. Jim said that with the increased traffic flow due to construction this will be a safety issue at intersections and he feels they should be proactive before there is a fatal crash between a squad car and a civilian. Brad Fyle said that they have the fire trucks equipped and he can't imagine going through town without them. Many times the civilian drivers aren't paying attention and that's where an issue could arise and having the opticons would be the best tool to prevent that. Sergeant Anderson said that the delay has been the fact that the cars are shared and many of those cars are out in rural Wright County and rarely, if ever, go through a stoplight. Jim said that it's only a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs and it would be best to be proactive rather than have the city and county get sued because they didn't have the proper equipment. Lieutenant Sandin said that all the lights on TH 25 in Monticello are equipped with opticons. Sergeant Anderson said they will look at equipping the new cars with opticons and will work with the city to possibly put money into the 2014 contract to assist with the purchase of the opticons. Lieutenant Sandin informed the PAC that there is a doctor at New River Medical that has his personal vehicle (a Nissan Pathfinder) equipped as an emergency vehicle with lights, an opticon, etc. He said that this was approved by the Department of Public Safety and the State Patrol. There is a state statute that allows emergency personnel this option and with that they must go through same driving course as law enforcement. There are nine such vehicles in the state of Minnesota. 5) Update on council appointments to the Police Advisory Commission Bruce Westby said that the city council ratified the appointments on Monday of Jason Roubinek for another term on the PAC and Brian Stumpf as the council representative for another term. However, a council alternate was not appointed for 2013 as in years past. 3 Police Advisory Commission Minutes: 0 1/16/13 8) Discussion of added items Jason Roubinek inquired about the status of installing security cameras in city parks and he said that he would like to get the ball rolling as he feels it is extremely important for the public safety and to deter vandalism or to catch perpetrators. Bruce Westby said that there have been numerous internal discussions about this and that staff is generally in favor of using security cameras but struggles with how to pass it through council so the public does not perceive it as the city being "big brother". Sergeant Anderson said it may be a good idea for Jason to set up a meeting with Jeff O'Neill to discuss the issue and let Jeff know what his feelings are on it. Jason said that he will contact Jeff and said he would like to start slow with just one camera to see how that works. Sergeant Anderson said that if you get one camera that worked and served its purpose that would show council that there is a definite need for cameras as a law enforcement tool. 9) Schedule next meeting (April 17, 2013 proposed) The next regular Police Advisory Commission meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 7 p.m. 8) Adjournment JASON ROUBINEK MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:48 PM. MOTION SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Recorder: Beth Green, Administrative Assistant Approved: ApdjL7, 2013 Attest: Wayne Oberg, Finance Director 4